Practice Areas

New IPR Infringement Probe of Stevia-Based Flavors and Flavor Modifiers

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Trade Report

The ITC has instituted investigation 337-TA-1085 to determine whether imports of certain glucosylated steviol glycosides and products containing the same are violating Section 337 of the 1930 Tariff Act by reason of patent infringement. The products at issue in the investigation are stevia-based flavors and flavor modifiers for use in food and beverage products.

Complainants PureCircle USA Inc. and PureCircle Sdn Bhd request that after this investigation the ITC issue a limited exclusion order, which would direct CBP to prohibit the entry of infringing products into the U.S., and cease and desist orders, which would require the named respondents to cease actions that violate Section 337, including selling infringing imported articles out of U.S. inventory. The respondents in this investigation are located in China and the U.S.